Illegal isothiazolinones in cosmetics

Isothiazolinone preservatives are turning up in cosmetics in which they should not be turning up.

First, in New Zealand, Stuff reported the shocking case of a woman who’d used a cleanser containing benzisothiazolinone (BIT) — which is not permitted for use in cosmetics, only in household cleaners and paints — and which caused painful, perhaps long-lasting damage to her eye.

Now, The European Commission’s weekly alert system on dangerous non-food products in the EU has just revealed eleven leave-on products containing methylisothiazolinone (MI) — seven of which also contain methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) — which have spent time illegally on the market.

Just two of the illegal, withdrawn products

You can scroll through the full list of products here, although they include products unrelated to MI / MCI, so for convenience here are the eleven products listed. In brackets, I have added further comments on additional details I have been able to ascertain from reading the labels:

If you have bought any of these products in Europe or online, check the labels, do not use them, take a picture of the product, and return to the retailer.

As always: don’t drop your guard, stick to safe and known brands and retailers, and always check and double-check ingredients. For a list of cosmetic brands and products free from MI / MCI, check our Cosmetics directories on the menu bar.

By continuing to navigate the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.